STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON
PASSAGE OF THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM LEGISLATION
June 17, 1993

Today's vote is a victory for the American people and a
setback for the special interests. Government will only serve
the middle class if Washington works for the national interest,
and not narrow interests. By breaking the filibuster and
overwhelmingly passing campaign finance reform legislation, the
Senate has answered the call for change. This legislation's
sponsors and supporters deserve our gratitude.

This bill will end the days when candidates could crush
their opponents with unanswered spending, by setting voluntary
spending limits for candidates. It severely limits PACs, and
bans contributions from lobbyists to the lawmakers they contact.
It ends the abuses of the "soft money" system. I continue to
believe that we should do more to open up the airwaves to
candidates. But all in all, this legislation is comprehensive,
real reform.

The process of political reform should now move forward
quickly. I urge the House of Representatives to enact the
strongest possible legislation. Previous presidents have blocked
and even vetoed political reform. I look forward to signing it.